Brush assembly and mounting means



D 6, 19% B. E. NELSON 3,2%9,234

BRUSH ASSEMBLY AND MOUNTING MEANS Filed July 17, 1964.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 M/I/E/VTOR.

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BRUSH ASSEMBLY AND MOUNTING MEANS Filed July 17, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Iii HVI/E/V TOR. BROOKS E. MEL-S 01V (umwga A TTORNEYS United States Patent M 3,289,234 BRUSH ASSEMBLY AND MOUNTING MEANS Brooks E. Nelson, Chagrin Falls, Ohio, assignor to The Osborn Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed July 17, 1964, Ser. No. 383,301

' Claims. (Cl. -179) This invention relates, as indicated, to a brush assembly and mounting means therefor, and more particularly to such an assembly which is adapted to be used interchangeably on shafts of different sizes.

Reference may be made to United States Patents 2,929,- 086, 3,105,988, 3,114,925, and 3,120,671 for illustrations of power brushes which are typical of the type to which this invention generally relates. Reference may also be made to my co-pending application Serial No. 363,156, filed April 28, 1964, now Patent No. 3,253,291, for a further illustration of such brushes and a description of features which may desirably be incorporated herein. To be satisfactory for industrial use, power brushes of the type shown and described in these patents must be capable of being used on shafts of various sizes in order to be usable in different places and under different circumstances as required. If a brush cannot be used in this fashion, it will not receive widespread acceptance in industrial applications since the expense involved in providing a different size of brush for every desired operation will be prohibitive. Consequently, it is of prime importance that mounting or adapter means be available which provide for the necessary versatility of operation.

It is an object of this invention therefore to provide a novel brush assembly and removable mounting means which permit the various power brushes to be used readily on shafts of different sizes.

Another object of this invention is to provide an adapter means which is designed to fit a brush to a specified shaft size by filling the space between the brush-back and the shaft.

Yet another object is the provision of a mounting means which is of simple design and inexpensive construction and which enables power brushes to be moved easily and quickly from one shaft to another.

An additional object is the provision of a removable and reusable adapter means which can conveniently be interchanged with other similar adapters havinga central opening of a different size for mounting rotary brushes on shafts of different diameters.

Another object is the provision of an adapter which snaps firmly and easily into proper mating relationship without need for tools or special equipment of any type.

Still another object is the provision of an adapter means with identical components thus eliminating any necessity for the stocking of special sets of components.

It is another object to provide an adapter which seats a brush section firmly and properly centered in good driving engagement without the use of screws, bolts, or other attachment means.

Other objects,'advantages, and features of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the following more detailed description of the invention.

These and other objects are achieved by means of this invention in which a unique brush assembly is provided which comprises a brush-back with a central opening therethrough and a body of bristle material packed therein. A plurality of keyways are provided within the brush-back and are positioned diametrically opposite one another. The assembly also includes means for mounting 3,289,234 Patented Dec. 6, 1966 it on a rotary shaft which comprises a pair of identical interlocking plates with each of the plates including a plurality of prongs and keyways on its inner surface and openings which extend transversely through the plate. The plates are designed such that the prongs are adapted to fit tightly within openings on the opposite plate and within the keyways in the brush-back thereby securely interlocking the plates and the brush into an operative assembly.

To the accomplishment'of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features herein after fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of-but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawings:

FIG. 1 is an end view of a power driven rotary brush of a type adapted to have the mounting means of this invention assembled therewith;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of such brush with only one plate member of the mounting means positioned therein on the back side thereof;

FIG. 4 is another end view illustrating the mounting means positioned within the brush;

FIG. 5 is an end view of one of the plate members comprising the mounting means;

FIGS. 68 inclusive are transverse sectional views taken along lines 6-6, 7-7, and 8-8 respecively of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is an end view of another embodiment of the mounting means;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are transverse cross-sectional views taken along lines 10-10 and 11-11 respectively of FIG. 9; and

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate yet another embodiment of the adapter, with FIG. 13 being a transverse cross-sectional view on line 13-13 of FIG. 12.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the numeral 1 designates a rotary power brush of the general type described in my aforesaid co-pending application having brush bristle material 2 packed within and extending outwardly from a circular generally channel shaped brush-back 3, with a radially inwardly extending reinforcing flange 3. A central opening 4 is provided within the flange portion of the brush-back for attaching the brush to a rotary shaft. The flange has a plurality of uniformly disposed diametrically opposed keyways or slots 5 three groups of two being provided inthis arrange ment. It will be appreciated, however, that the brush back may have apertures, rather than keyways for the same function if desired. The center pair of keyways 5 (a pair of keyways being generally provided to help balance the brush on the shaft) facilitate mounting of the brush on a shaft when it is unnecessary to adapt the brush to' a shaft of a different size. This pair of keyways is illustrated as being larger'than keyways 5 and 5", since a shaft of greater diameter will generally have larger keys; the size of these slots may vary, however, as appropriate to fit the brush to any given shaft. Alternatively, of course, keyways 5 or 5 may be used for this purpose, and keyways 5' thus maybe omitted, if desired.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the adapter or mounting means is positioned within the inwardlly extending flange of the brush-back 3. In FIG. 3, one plate A of the mounting means is inserted from the rear side of brush 1 with the prongs of the plate inserted in keyways 5" as described more fully hereinafter. In FIG. 4, the second plate B of the adapter is positioned within the brush-back from the opposite side of that shown in FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-8 inclusive, one of the two plate members which comprise the mounting means is indicated by the letter A. Each of the plate members may be of a hard molded plastic, such as a phenol-formaldehyde resin, and is identical to the other and includes a plurality of upright projections or prongs 12 and keyways 13 on the inner surface. Each plate has a plurality of openings 14 which extend transversely through the plate. Projections 15 are in alignment with the keyways on the outside diameter of the plate to serve as a visual aid for positioning the plate within the keyways in the brush-back. A pair of quadrant bosses 16 are positioned on the inner surface of each plate and are designed to fit within the central opening of the brush in order to center the brush with respect to the shaft and additionally to provide a solid backing between the two face plates when in their assembled position. Each of the plates includes a chamfer 17 on its inner edge which provides a recess for a fiat edged tool such as a screwdriver or the like to be inserted for releasing the mounting means from the brush.

As illustrated (see FIGS. 6 and 7), prongs 12 are designed with an oversized outer end portion T and are angled slightly outwardly from the inner surface of the plate as shown at C in order to provide a press or snap fit within openings 14 on the other plate when in assembled relation. When thus positioned, the two plate members will be firmly retained on opposite sides of the brush-back and will not be released until the oversized end portion is forcibly removed from the opening by a screwdriver or other flat instrument inserted between the two plates.

Another embodiment of the adapter is illustrated in FIGS. 9l1. One plate member is designated at 20, it again being understood that the other plate member is of identical construction. A pair of prongs 21 are shown which are identical in construction to those previously illustrated and also function in the same manner. A pair of openings 23 extend transversely through the face of the plate, and a pair of keyways 22 are shown in the plate for attaching the plate to a rotary shaft. A pair of projections 24 are provided on each plate member and are positioned in alignment with keyways 22. Quadrant bosses 25 are formed on the inner surface of each plate and are identical to those of the previously described embodiment and function in the same manner. Each of the plates also has a chamfer 26 on its inner edge.

When it is desired to mount a rotary brush such as that illustrated, one of the plate members will be inserted within the keyways 5 as illustrated in FIG. 3. When in such position prongs 12 will extend through the appropriate keyways 5" of the flange of the base portion. The other plate is then positioned on the brush by inserting its prongs within the keyways of the flange and through the openings of the other plate thereby securely interlocking the plates and brush as a unitary assembly. It will thus be appreciated that the two plates may be readily interlocked by rotatively indexing relative to each other to be snapped together. The brush can then be positioned on a rotary shaft and retained thereon by means of the keyway (13 in the FIG. 5 embodiment) arrangement. If it is desired to use this brush with a shaft of a different size, the assembly can be removed readily from the first shaft, the mounting means released from the brush by inserting a screwdriver into the chamfer between the two plates, and an adapter with a central opening of a different diameter positioned thereon.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a modified embodiment of the adapter which is particularly suited for use with a plurality of brush sections which are to be mounted on a shaft. When the adapter is used in this manner, it will have the same inside diameter as the brush sections and thus will fill the space between the various sections and also'keep the brush sections from dropping into the thread near the end of the arbor or shaft. As illustrated, one of the two plate members (the other plate being identical) is designated at 30 with a large central opening 31. A pair of keyways 32 are provided for attaching the adapter to a shaft, these keyways being the same size as the corresponding keyways of the brush section. In this embodiment, however, the openings are in the form of a pair of slots 33 into which prongs 34 of the second plate will be inserted and retained as previously described. A pair of projections 35 are also provided in alignment with keyways 32 to serve as a visual guide for positioning the plate within the keyways in the brush-back. In this form, the adapter thus does not have quadrant bosses on its inner surface to seat the inside diameter of the flange portion of the brush.

Any of the well-known brush materials may be utilized in this invention such as, for example, horsehair, tampico fibers, crimped wire, nylon, plastic coated wire, and plastic coated fiber strands. The channel shaped brush-back and reinforcing flange will usually be of sheet metal such as steel, but other appropriate materials may be used de pending upon the use intended. The adapter means of this invention may also desirably be used with a plurality of brush sections of the type heretofore described to mount and secure them to an arbor. Similarly, the adapter may be used with brushes other than the wheel brushes illustrated herein, such as, for example, cup brushes. It is to be understood therefore that such concepts are to be within the scope of this invention.

It is apparent therefore that the objects of this invention have been achieved through the novel brush assembly and adapter herein provided. As illustrated, this unique assembly does not affect the utility of the brush and also greatly increases its versatility by making it adaptable for use with shafts of various sizes.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims, or the equivalent of such, be employed.

I, therefore, particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

l. A brush assembly comprising a brush-back with a central opening therethrough, a body of bristle material retained therein, a plurality of keyways within said brushback positioned diametrically opposite one another, and means for mounting said assembly on a shaft comprising a pair of identical interlocking plates on opposite sides of said brush-back, each of said plates including a plurality of pronges and keyways on the inner surface thereof and openings extending transversely therethrough, said prongs tightly fitting within said openings on the other plate and said keyways in the brush-back to interlock securely said plates and brush.

2. Means for mounting a rotary brush on a shaft comprising a pair of identical interlocking plates, each of said plates including a plurality of prongs and keyways on its inner surface and openings extending transversely therethrough, said prongs being adapted to fit tightly within such openings on the other plate to interlock said plates, and a plurality of quadrant bosses positioned diametrically opposite one another on the inner surface thereof to provide solid backing between the plates when in interlocking position.

3. The mounting means of claim 2 in which there are projections on said plates which are positioned in alignment with said keyways.

4. The mounting means of claim 2 in which eachof said plates has a chamfer on the inner edge thereof.

5. Means for mounting a rotary brush on a shaft comprising a pair of identical interlocking plates, each of said plates including a plurality of prongs and keyways on its inner surface and openings extending transversely therethrough, said prongs being adapted to fit tightly within such openings on the other plate to interlock said plates, said prongs having an oversized outer end portion adapted to provide a press fit within the openings on the other of said plates when in assembled position.

6. The mounting means of claim 5 in which said prongs are angled slightly outward from the inner surface of said plate.

7. The assembly of claim 1 in which said brush-back has three groups of two keyways therein.

8. Adapter means for mounting a rotary brush on an arbor which comprises a pair of identical interlocking plates, each of said plates including a pair of prongs and keyways on the inner surface thereof and a pair of openings which extend transversely therethrough, each of said prongs having an enlarged outer end portion to fit tightly within said openings on the other of said plates and to interlock securely said plates when in the assembled position, each of said plates including a chamfer on its inner edge, a pair of projections on each of said plates aligned with said keyways therein, and a pair of quadrant bosses positioned diametrically opposite one another on the inner surface of said plates to provide solid backing between said plates when in interlocking position with each other.

9. A power driven rotary brush assembly comprising a circular brush back with brush material extending outwardly therefrom, a rigid flange extending radially inwardly from said brush back, a central opening within said flange being formed with diametrically opposite keyways in the inner peripheral surface thereof, a plurality of additional slots in such inner peripheral surface uniformly spaced to each side of each of said keyways for interen gagement with an adapter, and an adapter for mounting said assembly on a shaft comprising a pair of identical interlocking plates on opposite sides of said brush back, each of said plates including a plurality of prongs and keyways on the inner surface thereof and. openings extending transversely therethrough, said prongs tightly fitting within said openings on the other plate and said slots in the brush back to interlock securely said plates and brush.

10. The brush of claim 9 in which said keyways are of a different size than said slots.

References Cited by the Examiner Q UNITED STATES PATENTS 909,204 1/ 1909 Nielson 15179 1,637,823 8/1927 Herold 15-l79 X 2,609,559 9/1952 Peterson 15-182 3,121,245 2/1964 Tilgner 15181 X 3,139,642 7/1964 Nelson et a1 15--181 X CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner. P. FELDMAN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A BRUSH ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A BRUSH-BACK WITH A CENTRAL OPENING THERETHROUGH, A BODY OF BRISTLE MATERIAL RETAINED THEREIN, A PLURALITY OF KEYWAYS WITHIN SAID BRUSHBACK POSITIONED DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSITE ONE ANOTHER, AND MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID ASSEMBLY ON A SHAFT COMPRISING A PAIR OF IDENTICAL INTERLOCKING PLATES ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID BRUSH-BACK, EACH OF SAID PLATES INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF PRONGES AND KEYWAYS ON THE INNER SURFACE THEREOF AND OPENINGS EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY THERETHROUGH, SAID 